The only thing I regret about being adopted is that I didn't inherit my adoptive parents' genes.

My mother's aunt went back to substitute teaching at 101. An uncle died at 96 when his tractor turned over. A cousin in his late nineties retired as chief of surgery to go on a safari in Africa. My father's father was a teenager during the U.S. Civil War. His father fought in the Revolutionary War in his twenties and thirties.

The only thing I regret about being adopted is that I didn't inherit my adoptive parents' genes.

My mother's aunt went back to substitute teaching at 101. An uncle died at 96 when his tractor turned over. A cousin in his late nineties retired as chief of surgery to go on a safari in Africa. My father's father was a teenager during the U.S. Civil War. His father fought in the Revolutionary War in his twenties and thirties.

Wait, wouldn't that mean your great grandfather had your grandfather when he was around 90?

I have a similar family situation. My grandparents were born during the Civil War (!) - my great grandfather was at Appamatox. His grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War. (My family tends to have at least one baby late in life)

Balance is better, and the last mico-seizure only lasted a couple of seconds. Looks like it's helping. See the neurologist on December 28. Surgery probable in Jan or Feb.

I'm negotiating with the hospital to bring my ashtray and coffee maker with me. I also want my computer and Terabye download speed available. In addition, I want a full-sized refrigerator for beer. And my own nurse. And

Wait a minute, my wife is looking over my shoulder. No! Stop! It's cheaper to replace you than the computer. Just kidding.

I had lunch with my oldest daughter today. I had not seen her since the spinal tap. We have a healthy adult relationship, and she's always honest with me. Brutally so if necessary.

She believes I am walking, thinking acting far better than I have in two years. She termed the change "remarkable," and she's a better observer of me than I am. I'm pretty confident about the surgery. Just not the beer refrigerator and ash tray.